The “25 by 25” Challenge

Well the list and the year has come and gone. I did 21 of the 25 in one year and while a small part of me is bummed that I didn’t knock them all out––I’m also astounded at how many things I tried and conquered in a year. I’m leaving the list here for now as I figure out what’s next. Maybe it’s just focusing on grad school for now and documenting the adventures that occur therein; but eventually another list will come. And that one? It’s all getting crossed off.

1. Learn to play guitar.
2. Get a stamp in my way-too-empty passport.
3. Write a book proposal.
4. Run a half marathon.
   
5. Break out my should-have-been-used-by-now tent.
   
6. Learn how to actually keep a personal budget.
   
7. Volunteer time somewhere that really counts. Find a non-profit to dedicate passion.
8. Take a trip with brother.
   
9. Re-immerse in the arts: read more, listen to bands I’ve never heard of.
   
10. Continue my education. Enroll in a class or make a point to find non-traditional ways to keep challenging myself and growing.
11. Stop being afraid of commitment, Mom & Dad have set an awesome example—there’s no reason to be so antsy.
12. Find a new church home.
13. When you see family members are calling, answer it. When you see long-distance friends are calling your phone, answer it. When you don’t want to call, don’t underestimate the power of sending the unexpected letter.
    
14. Be outrageously spontaneous at least once. Want to watch a sunrise on the coast? Go. Want to see that band that only plays on weeknights at a hole-in-the-wall in New York? Make it happen.
15. Surround myself with French. That includes you, Sarah Bennett. (Make it to Montreal.) Find a conversational friend. Read something French at least once a week.
16. Try for other acting experience.
17. Learn how to handle a firearm. Okay, and maybe shoot one too.
18. Be published in a news forum that I haven’t been published in before. (http://bunewsservice.com/walsh-and-connolly-to-vie-for-mayor-of-boston/)
19. Be vulnerable. It’s OK to tell people how I feel every so often. In fact, I should tell some people every single day.
20. See a play on Broadway.
21. Visit a state I’ve never been to. 
    
22. See what it’s like to be brunette. Even if it’s just a day.
23. Simplify. Purge the belongings I don’t need. Space, memories and people are more important than things.
    
24. Be open to being in a relationship and really think about what I want.
25. Apply for something outside of your comfort zone. Be it a mission trip, race or whatever I’ve wanted to try in the past but chickened out on.